Much of the counties’ expenses are mandatory, such as police and social services, and some cost hikes will be impossible to avoid.

On top of that, S,D and G faces a 6% cut in provincial funding for police services, which is worth 0.6% of the budget.

Incoming warden, North Stormont Deputy Mayor Bill McGimpsey, said it’s a balancing act for the budget considering costs for roads materials, such as asphalt, have been rising faster than inflation, which is currently pegged at 1% for 2012.